Arraying Components

The Array command in 3DSMART is identical to the Array command in AutoCAD and the two commands may be used interchangeably.

There are two ways to array a component:

§         Rectangular

§         Polar

To create a rectangular array of components….

1.   From the Toolbox Changes tab, select Array.

Select objects appears in the command line.

2.   In the design, click the component you want to clone.

Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] appears in the command line.

3.   In the command line, type r.

Enter the number of rows (---) appears in the command line.

4.      In the command line, type the number of rows in the horizontal direction that you wish to have in the array.

Enter the number of columns (|||) appears in the command line.

5.   In the command line, type the number of columns in the vertical direction that you wish to have in the array.

Enter the distance between rows or specify unit cells (---) appears in the command line.

6.      You may choose to do either of the following:

a.     Enter a numerical distance in the command line. 

Specify the distance between columns (|||) appears in the command line.

Enter a numerical distance in the command line.  The array will now be completed. 

Ø    Note: The array will be drawn in accordance to the distances given.  So, for two positive distances, the array will be drawing above and to the right of the original component, using the original position as a reference point.

b.      Draw a rectangle in the drawing representing the distances between rows and columns. 

 Ø              Note:  The array will be drawn in the direction that the rectangle is drawn.  For example, if you pick the upper left hand corner and then the lower right hand corner for the rectangle, the array will be drawn in the to the right and below the original component.

To create a polar array of components….

1.   From the Toolbox Changes tab, select Array.

Select objects appears in the command line.

2.   In the design, click the component you want to clone.

Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] appears in the command line.

3.   In the command line, type p.

Specify center point of array or [Base] appears in the command line.

4.   In the command line, type the co-ordinate of the center point of the array

OR click in the drawing to locate the center point of the array

OR type B at the command line.  Enter the base point of objects appears in the command line. You will then be able to select the point on the component that you wish to use as the reference point for placement in the array. Specify center point of array appears in the command line.

5.      Enter the number of items in the array appears in the command line.  Type this value in the command line.

Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) appears in the command line.

6.      Enter the angle to be used for the array in the command line.

Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] appears in the command line.

7.      Entering Y at the command line will rotate all of the arrayed objects about the center point. Entering N at the command line will array the objects while retaining the original orientation of the object.